سُوْرَةُ الْمَعَارِجِ

Surah Al-Ma'aarij (70) — Ayah 17

The Ascending Stairways · Meccan · Juz 29 · Page 569

تَدْعُوا۟ مَنْ أَدْبَرَ وَتَوَلَّىٰ ﴿17﴾
Calling (all) such as turn their backs and turn away their faces (from Faith) [picking and swallowing them up from that great gathering of mankind on the Day of Resurrection just as a bird picks up a food-grain from the earth with its beak and swallows it up] (Tafsir Al-Qurtubî)
تَدْعُوا۟ tadʿū Inviting
مَنْ man (him) who
أَدْبَرَ adbara turned his back
وَتَوَلَّىٰ watawallā and went away

Tafsir al-Quran al-Karim is a 4-volume Quran commentary by Hafiz Abdus Salam bin Muhammad Bhutvi, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar and Sheikh ul-Hadith from Pakistan. Based on over 45 years of teaching and research, this tafsir follows the methodology of Tafsir bil-Ma'thur — interpreting the Quran through authentic Hadith, statements of the Companions, and the understanding of the early generations (Salaf). It is distinguished by its complete avoidance of Israeliyyat (Judeo-Christian narratives) and unverified reports. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.

(Ayah 18,17) ➊ {تَدْعُوْا مَنْ اَدْبَرَ وَ تَوَلّٰى :} That is, those who turned their backs and averted their faces when called towards faith in the world, now Hell will call them towards itself, and not in such a way that they may choose to go or not to go.

{ وَ جَمَعَ فَاَوْعٰى : ’’أَوْعٰي‘‘ ’’وِعَاءٌ‘‘} means a vessel, that is, kept enclosed in a vessel. From the previous verse and this verse, it is understood that the two major reasons for the disbelievers entering Hell are: one, not believing, rather turning away after hearing the truth; and second, severe miserliness. See Surah Al-Haqqah (69:33, 34).

➌ The speaking of Hell is proven from these verses and also from Surah Qaf, verse (30): « وَ تَقُوْلُ هَلْ مِنْ مَّزِيْدٍ ». It is narrated from Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: [ يَخْرُجُ عُنُقٌ مِّنَ النَّارِ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ لَهُ عَيْنَانِ تُبْصِرَانِ وَأُذُنَانِ تَسْمَعَانِ وَلِسَانٌ يَنْطِقُ يَقُوْلُ إِنِّيْ وُكِّلْتُ بِثَلاَثَةٍ بِكُلِّ جَبَّارٍ عَنِيْدٍ وَبِكُلِّ مَنْ دَعَا مَعَ اللّٰهِ إِلٰهًا آخَرَ وَبِالْمُصَوِّرِيْنَ ] [ ترمذي، صفۃ جھنم، باب ما جاء فی صفۃ النار : ۲۵۷۴، وصححہ الألباني ] "On the Day of Resurrection, a neck will emerge from the Fire, which will have two eyes that see, two ears that hear, and a tongue that speaks. It will say: I have been appointed over three (types of people): every obstinate tyrant, every person who associates partners with Allah, and image-makers." Similarly, in Sahih Muslim, the hadith about the debate between Paradise and Hell from the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) also proves this, so it is not correct to deny the speech of Hell or to interpret it otherwise. According to the Noble Qur'an, on the Day of Resurrection, the earth will also speak, and hands, feet, and skins will also testify, so what is surprising about Paradise or Hell speaking?

Tafsir Ahsan al-Bayan is a well-known Quran commentary by Hafiz Salahuddin Yusuf, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. This tafsir explains the meanings of the Quran in accordance with the methodology of the Salaf (early righteous generations), relying on authentic sources and straightforward language. Due to its reliability and adherence to sound Islamic scholarship, the Saudi government publishes and distributes this tafsir among the Hujjaj (pilgrims) visiting the Haramain. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.

The exegesis of this verse has been done along with the previous verse.

Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran (Facilitation of the Quran) is a comprehensive Quran commentary by Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. Known for his eloquent and accessible writing style, Kilani authored this tafsir with a focus on clarity — making Quranic meanings understandable to the common reader. The tafsir provides detailed historical context for verses related to battles and expeditions, and firmly refutes modernist ideologies using strong scriptural evidence. It is widely regarded as an invaluable resource for understanding the Quran and countering deviant interpretations. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.

17. It will call every one who turned his back (on truth) [11] and turned away.

[11] In verses 17 and 18, mention is made of those two fundamental crimes that make a person deserving of Hell. The details of these crimes have already been discussed in the footnote to verses 33 and 34 of Surah Al-Haqqah. Hell will call such people to itself. And according to one narration, a neck will emerge from Hell which will pick out those deserving of Hell one by one, just as a bird picks up a grain lying on the ground.